Why Me

1 minute ago, poohy said:

Maybe he is one who has seen the light there's a lot of unhappy soldiers in the army that dont support the current  worsening situation

Maybe but it don't make no sense to shoot up a T21. He's snapped and/or drugs.

Exactly where is he holed up in the mall?

Carnage.

18 hours ago, Boatman37210 said:

Can I go to the police and get some kind of authorization to have the current district office give me the information I need.

On what basis would police give you this authorization? As JW says the info is private or the district office would have shared it.

Good for the guy. The mask is obviously so that some dumb person hailing him doesn't freak out, oh no, I am not going in your cab.

Don't mean to downplay taking precautions but it is a flu variant, not ebola. An otherwise healthy person should recover on their own in a week of laying low, plenty of fluids and paracetamol.

True it's a new variant but med labs have a lot of experience with flu obviously and it's not surprising they are coming up so quickly with drug combinations to fight this thing.

1 hour ago, MarcB said:

If they were to ask my passport 1 day, I would tell them to stick it

You sir are a stud. Thailand is blessed with your presence. As are we on TV.

At Tops I say my phone no. which gets them my 1Card member id (alternatively I could produce my 1Card and let them run it).

However, what might be relevant to the OP is that when there's some special discount the cashier wants to see my passport. Understandable as that's my id as a foreigner.

Maybe the OP unbeknownst to him had an item on a special (2b. less even) which required id. In any case, no biggie if you have your PP page pics on your phone (as you always should).

36 minutes ago, Gweiloman said:

But I read a lot of posts on TVF that it’s cheaper in the west?

If this were the case then why are those posters here?

On 1/24/2020 at 2:23 PM, ubonjoe said:

Requirements are here. https://division1.immigration.go.th/download/1551323081128.pdf

Yep, it's me again, UJ. I keep bugging you. This form is terrific particularly as it's official and has both Thai/English.

Question: Is there a similar official requirements doc for applying for the extension based on retirement?

Thank you for bearing with me.

PS: I did see the link to

https://www.thethailandlife.com/the-thailand-retirement-visa-guide

in a recent thread which lists required docs for retirement extension, but a Thai/English official one is better.

Lot advertised on Lazada. Nicely packaged seeds if you have the time and a place for delivery:

https://www.lazada.co.th/catalog/?spm=a2o4m.searchlistcategory.search.2.416270a1vZXpKz&q=cactus seed&_keyori=ss&clickTrackInfo=textId--43834030385920324__abId--154857__pvid--fb64ca0f-bc4b-45e4-a85f-b46e69decae2&from=suggest_normal&sugg=cactus seed_1_1

2 minutes ago, Jaxxper said:

2) Need letter from bank. Banks understand the local IO requirements and tailor the letter and supporting documents accordingly.

Thanks. If you have one would you mind sharing a redacted version of such a letter? This way I (or any new applicant) could show it to the bank and they would know right away what we're there for, instead of having trying to explain matters in limited Thai.

14 minutes ago, Max69xl said:

Checklists for required documents do exist, but the OP needs to tell which immigration office he belongs to. The requirements can differ a bit between offices. 

May I ask the checklist for Chaengwattana?

Couple of questions if I may related to the OP:

1. Does the lump sum 800k in the bank for retirement extension have to be from a foreign transfer?

2. The thethailandlife.com link above mentions a "bank letter". I assume this applies to the monthly method only. For the lump sum method just the updated passbook is needed to show that the 800k/400k has been in the account for the requisite amount of time (per UJ's post above) and no bank letter, correct?

If not, it would nice to see a (redacted) version of such a letter to know exactly what it contains. Presumably, major bank branches would be familiar with the process.

A homemade battery-operated contraption to cool strange herbs? I don't think customs anywhere will look at this kindly.

You might consider an express dispatch with the stuff packed in dry ice. A lot more expensive but a courier might be willing to take you on.

And have you considered air drying the herbs and sending them as is? I thought dehydrated herbs last forever.

I've not seen wheelchair-bound guys in Nana Plaza and honestly the arrangements inside the bar don't seem particularly handicapped friendly.

However, you might have better luck with the street side bars/alcocarts which open up late. They're all along lower Sukumvit. The ones on Soi 7 for example get really cooking after midnight. No reason you can't roll up to one and have a good time. Booze and gals aplenty.

13 hours ago, Thailand J said:

That was when I realized a manage fund could fall behind S&P 500. Since then my money has been mostly in index funds , with a few years expenses   in Money Market Fund. Simple.

Exactly the conclusion I came to after reading Jack Bogle and making 5/10 year comparisons with my managed funds vs. S&P500, causing me to move everything to the low cost Fidelity total market index fund FSKAX .

13 hours ago, Thailand J said:

I am making 4% withdrawal yearly, mostly to give away.

So, if you don't mind my asking are you entirely in index stock funds (no bonds, etc.) and selling from them for the annual 4%?

Reason I ask is that I am 100% in a total market stock fund and have yet to see a compelling reason to diversify to bonds, etc., given that I can ride out a recession (average length 2 years) from my cash assets. Which seems to be your strategy, no?

Long-term stocks do better so again I don't need see the need diversify away from stocks provided I am diversified in them.

13 hours ago, Thailand J said:

In 2019 for the first time my Vanguard account returned over $1M in a year.

Nice going, buddy!! Enjoy your wealth.

2 hours ago, gk10002000 said:

I recommend running away from any and all financial planners.  If they were so good with money, they would not be working.  In general few are ve.  ry good and all that happens is you pay fee or percentages for what is really routine advice.

 

  I offer my advice.  I currently have over 1 million in my portfolio mostly with Etrade as my broker and bank.  I made all my money really in the last 15 years as an engineer contractor finishing my last three years as a direct employee with Northrop Grumman.  I have done a fair amount of investing and got some decent advice and real world things from some fellow contractors, both who were millionaires, owned and retired to canada with a hotel, etc.  I have bought and sold municipal bonds, municipal bond funds (tax exempt) so I hold them in my traditional brokerage account.  I have bought and sold a few call options, and covered calls, always in my IRAs so that there is no extra paperwork on Schedule D and its associated forms.  I have rolled over several company 401ks into my own ROTH and Traditional IRAs.  I have held many stocks over the years, ETFs, Mutual Funds, etc. I have never bought a home, but I did walk away from a closing when the other parties had not fulfilled their part of contractually agreed to pre work.  I have always done my own taxes, which have been relatively standard and simple.  I report dividends, interest, deduct itemizations very rarely as I didn't have deductible items.  I have worked in 16 US states so have more than the average person's knowledge of tax reporting. 

 

Starting in 2004 right after my first visit to Thailand, my goal was INCOME, so I could meet the Thai income requirements for a retirement visa extension reason.  I am familiar with REITs, dividend paying stocks or funds.  I offer my portfolio for discussion.  No claims it is great or good, or optimal or any such thing.  But it does generate over 65,000 USD a year in income.  And at 62 1/2 I have not even started social security yet, which if I did, would start today at 25,000 USD a year more.

 

NEA and PRTAX are tax free dividend payers.  ROTH of course all is tax free. Traditional withdrawals will be taxable as ordinary income when I take any out.

 

  I keep things simple and own less than 10 equities.  I have a combination of bond funds, preferred stock/bond funds, and dividend paying stocks.  My T holdings are all qualified dividend paying dividends so they max outat 15 % as a tax rate.

 

  I read about people buying index funds and hoping they continue over the long haul to average return 7%. yeah well, I like my > 5-6 % income every year that goes into my portfolio.

 

My current simple portfolio is:

 

Traditional Brokerage: (500K)

T, NEA, PRTAX

 

Traditional IRA:  (420)

BP, NLY, PFXF, PRHYX

 

ROTH IRA: (210kk)

AGNC, NLY, PRHYX, PGX

 

Thanks a lot for sharing. You are obviously a more sophisticated investor than I am but I've been very very lucky.

After being burnt on Red Hat way back when and realizing I was a lousy stock picker I invested only in mutual funds, usually a mix of Morningstar/ValueLine highly rated ones, until a Jack Bogle article convinced me to put everything Into one total market index fund, currently FSKAX. 10 years on a $300k is now 1.5mil.

That total 1.5mil includes IRA + Roth + individual equity, all in FSKAX. Yep, totally simple-minded but I have no regrets given the performance.

I have written a program myself based on historical S&P 500 data to simulate withdrawal rates from 2% to 4% (yes, I know of the 4% rule but I wanted to see for myself). At 2% which is the minimum I need because of additional SS and pension income there seems to be zero risk and a high chance of the investment itself growing significantly.

But here is where I come to the point of asking advice. Apparently, I am in the fortunate position of having enough saved. In fact, if hypothetically a bank today offered 3% annual interest on a CD not too long term, I would be all in right away. I don't need to ride the market to make more money. A good return is all I care for.

True my simulation does show that staying in a total market index is fine for a 2% withdrawal rate. But there's volatility to contend with - 2008 was no fun at all. 

So if I want a modest return circa 3% is there an investment that's low volatility and pretty much secure?

US citizen here with a decent portfolio all in US stock index funds. Obviously done well in the past few years but now thinking to move some moneys to income-generation. Not that selling stocks won't generate income. But that's precisely the point. I want to talk to someone re the best way forward.

Last year I called a couple of financial planners in the US but they have issues with the territory they are licensed for. So it would be great if there's someone in Thailand, maybe a retired US financial planner, someone with credentials, who can help me bounce ideas around. Of course, I will pay.

PM me if you don't want to respond in the thread.

6 hours ago, Nyezhov said:

Let me help you, Im an expert. Heres a few tips.

 

First of all, dress for sucess. a conservative Saville Row Suit and hand made brogues look great as you are insouciently leaning against a doorway holding out a crystal rose. Dont forget the basics, like a fresh haircut, barber shop shave, completely hairless body, matching socks and change your underwear dude. Black ones. Tight. Skin tight black ones. Thongs. Pouch. Yes

 

Emphasize your utter masculinity in a safe way. Dont lean over the dinner table and grin savagely as you recite how you personally killed a terorist by hacking him into pieces with the Kuhkri the Ghorkas gave you in Afghanistan, then bringing his head to the Mess where the Colonel will use it as a Regimental Drinking Cup. Rather, tell her about the experience in a halting voice, break off eye contact to blink away the tears, try this line "I had to do it. I took no pleasure in it, but I could not let the world suffer anymore. Its hard, I think about it every day and it haunts my dreams".....make sure you wipe the eyes and dont forget a chokebacked sob or two.... Guaranteed, she will be under the table comforting you before the Escargot get there....

 

Dont appear cheap, yet dont be extravagent. Thats a hard one to pull off, basically, if you tip the Valet $100 you could look like a poseur or a mobster, make it $50. And try to fold the bills and be discreet in handing them out, just dont whip out a Grant and wave it around and flip your keys to the valet, heres a fitty for ya boy, dont scratch up my ride, the Rolls is in the shop...no...not going to work. Smooth, classy....heres a little something for you my man.....much better...

 

Oh ride, yes, there are a few places where they rent nice cars, avoid Vettes (ordiniary) and Hellcats (Redneck) and Toyotas(boring) and Lambos (too pretentious)...I suggest a well equipped late model Lincoln Sedan if you are older, and a BMW 8 if you are younger. Make sure your radio is playing soft classical music when your date arrives, leave the Nickleback and Rush CDs at home. 

 

Fine Wine: My expertise in this area is world renowned. I was a vinter, I used to create a lovely wine using Welches Grape Juice and Everclear. Fabulous. Aromatic, yet Sweet and Deadly. Anyway, as to wine, if you know nothing about it, thats OK, nobody does. They just pretend. All of the stuff about Bouquet and Aftertaste is meaningless, it all tastes like overpriced sour juice. So when the dude with the neck cup comes by, just order two of the most expensive bottles on the menu, Red and White you can cover the steak and fish. And remember to swirl before tasting, at which time you can nod to the waiter and smile and mumble platitudes like "Hmmmm, cogent, with just a hint of affectation". And if you want that under the table trip before you even sob, just spit the wine out and declaim with just a hint of anger "My good man, how dare you bring this to me. Its quite horrid, and I rahlly dont care that its priced at $1000 and ithat you personally chose it, its quite simply  inferior. Bring me a 1947 Chateau Papenuef, thats worth the money, Wine Spectator Rates it highly" (you already know they have it because you saw it on the menu and your date will never go check on Wine Spectator)

 

If you need more help let me know. I have all sorts of little touches......

 

 

 

 

A post should be like a bargirl. The happy ending should be within easy reach and not a mile away. Yours is too long.

But I'm giving you a like for an impressive vocabulary.